Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of December 2022
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ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2022 || Best rewards credit cards || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards
No-annual-fee travel credit cards offer rewards for no yearly cost of card ownership. This can be appealing to frugal or infrequent travelers. Keep in mind, however, that these cards lack the richer rewards and perks of cards that do charge annual fees. For some travelers, paying an annual fee is worth it thanks to those incentives, which can include things like travel credits, bonus rewards, airport lounge access, free checked bags, priority boarding, hotel status and more. The value of such perks can more than offset an annual fee. But for those who are adamantly opposed to paying one, here are our favorite no-annual-fee travel cards.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2022 || Best rewards credit cards || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards
No-annual-fee travel credit cards offer rewards for no yearly cost of card ownership. This can be appealing to frugal or infrequent travelers. Keep in mind, however, that these cards lack the richer rewards and perks of cards that do charge annual fees. For some travelers, paying an annual fee is worth it thanks to those incentives, which can include things like travel credits, bonus rewards, airport lounge access, free checked bags, priority boarding, hotel status and more. The value of such perks can more than offset an annual fee. But for those who are adamantly opposed to paying one, here are our favorite no-annual-fee travel cards.
Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card - Offer Ending Soon Apply now on Wells Fargo's website | Best for General travel | $0 | 1x- Points | 30,000 Points | Apply now on Wells Fargo's website |
Discover it® Miles Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | Best for General travel | $0 | 1.5x Miles | Discover Match® Miles | Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 |
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for General travel | $0 | 1.25x- Miles | 20,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website |
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Airline travel | $0 | 1x- Miles | 10,000 Miles | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Airline travel | $0 | 1x- Miles | 10,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
United Gateway℠ Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Airline travel | $0 | 1x- Miles | 30,000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
JetBlue Card | Best for Airline travel | $0 | 1x- Points | 10,000 Points | Learn more |
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Hotel rewards | $0 | 1x- Points | 30,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Hilton Honors American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Hotel rewards | $0 | 3x- Points | 80,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website |
Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® | Best for Hotel rewards | $0 | 2x- Points | 40,000 Points | Read review |
IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Hotel rewards | $0 | 1x- Points | 80,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Our pick for
General travel
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
$0
1x-3x
Points
30,000
Points
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card - Offer Ending Soon offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories.
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card - Offer Ending Soon offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories.
Pros
The card earns unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on travel, dining, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Other spending earns 1 point per dollar. The bonus offer is outstanding for a $0-annual-fee card, and you even get a introductory APR period.
Cons
You don't get the perks of a dedicated airline or hotel card, and there's no option to transfer points to airline or hotel programs.
Limited time offer. Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value. Offer expires 1/10/2023
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases
$0 annual fee
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.74%, 23.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card. (subject to a $25 deductible).
Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
$0
1.5x
Miles
Discover Match®
Miles
The Discover it® Miles offers simple flat-rate rewards, gives you control over how big your new-cardholder bonus will be, and is the rare travel card that lets you redeem your miles for cash back with no loss in value.
The Discover it® Miles offers simple flat-rate rewards, gives you control over how big your new-cardholder bonus will be, and is the rare travel card that lets you redeem your miles for cash back with no loss in value.
Pros
You earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Miles are worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed for statement credit against travel purchases or for cash back. The introductory 0% APR period is one of the best in its class. And you get Discover's unique sign-up offer: UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover will automatically match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
Cons
Discover's acceptance is limited internationally. If your travels will take you outside the U.S., bring along another card or two for backup.
UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee.
Redeem Miles to pay any part of your monthly bill, including your minimum payment.
Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more with no blackout dates. However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire.
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 15.74% to 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.25x-5x
Miles
20,000
Miles
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent.
Pros
Miles can be redeemed for statement credit against travel purchases at a value of 1 cent per mile, with no restrictions on when you travel. There's a sign-up bonus, too: Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel..
Cons
The ongoing rewards rate is lower than what some competitors offer.
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 17.99% - 27.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Our pick for
Airline travel
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1x-2x
Miles
10,000
Miles
For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the $0-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a cost-effective way to earn miles on everyday purchases.
For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the $0-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a cost-effective way to earn miles on everyday purchases.
Pros
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card earns 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent at grocery stores and on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. It also offers a sign-up bonus, plus a discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases made with the card.
Cons
The card doesn't offer free checked bags, and its 3% foreign transaction fee could get costly if you frequently travel internationally.
Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
No Annual Fee.
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights.
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0
1x-2x
Miles
10,000
Miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an ideal option for Delta devotees who want rewards without paying an annual fee.
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an ideal option for Delta devotees who want rewards without paying an annual fee.
Pros
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide and on purchases made directly with Delta, and 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases. The card features a modest welcome bonus, plus a 20% discount on in-flight purchases in the form of statement credit when you use the card to buy food, beverages or audio headsets. Terms apply.
Cons
It doesn’t offer perks like free checked bags or priority boarding. Since it's an American Express card, you may face limited acceptance abroad.
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$0
1x-2x
Miles
30,000
Miles
The United Gateway℠ Card gives occasional flyers who prefer United Airlines the opportunity to try out an airline credit card for free.
The United Gateway℠ Card gives occasional flyers who prefer United Airlines the opportunity to try out an airline credit card for free.
Pros
You earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, as well as at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, and 1 mile per dollar on other spending. There's a decent bonus offer for new cardholders, and the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
Cons
You won't get the free checked bags, priority boarding or other perks that give other airline cards much of their appeal (and which can more than make up for the annual fee on such cards).
Earn 30,000 bonus miles
No annual fee
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and on commuting
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Our pick for
Hotel rewards
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$0
1x-14x
Points
30,000
Points
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers bonus rewards on purchases made at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, but also on other travel purchases. You'll also earn automatic Silver status and the valuable perks that come with it.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers bonus rewards on purchases made at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, but also on other travel purchases. You'll also earn automatic Silver status and the valuable perks that come with it.
Pros
Earn 3 points per $1 spent at qualifying Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2 points per $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains) and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. The automatic Silver status benefit includes perks like priority late checkout, a 10% point bonus on stays, free Wi-Fi and more. There's also a sign-up bonus.
Cons
Unlike other hotel cards with annual fees, you won't get a free night's stay every anniversary. Also, bonus categories are somewhat limited compared with other cards.
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase®!
Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Earn unlimited Marriott Bonvoy® points and get Free Night Stays faster.
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0
3x-7x
Points
80,000
Points
The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns bonus rewards on Hilton stays and in common everyday categories. You also get automatic Silver status. Terms apply.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns bonus rewards on Hilton stays and in common everyday categories. You also get automatic Silver status. Terms apply.
Pros
Earn 7 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands; 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; and 3 per dollar on all other purchases. It also offers a welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Cons
It doesn't offer an automatic award night every year, and point values are lower than they are in several other award programs. As an American Express card, acceptance abroad may be limited.
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
No Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$0
1x-17x
Points
80,000
Points
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card earns rewards quickly on IHG hotel stays and eligible everyday purchases.
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card earns rewards quickly on IHG hotel stays and eligible everyday purchases.
Pros
Earn 15 points total per $1 spent on stays at IHG hotels (5 points with the card and 10 points as an IHG Rewards Club member); 3 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, eligible monthly bills, restaurants; and 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, and there's a generous sign-up bonus. It also offers a fourth night free when you redeem points for a stay of four nights or more. Terms apply.
Cons
Unlike some other hotel credit cards, this card doesn't offer automatic elite status. You have to spend $10,000 to earn Gold status and the perks that come with it. There's no free anniversary night benefit, and point values are relatively low.
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
No Annual Fee
Earn up to 17 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Redeem 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free
IHG Rewards bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks:
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST NO ANNUAL FEE TRAVEL CARDS
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
» FOR GENERAL-PURPOSE TRAVEL REWARDS
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card - Offer Ending Soon offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.
One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.
The Discover it® Miles is the rare travel credit card that lets you redeem your rewards for travel or for cash back at the same rate. (Also rare among travel cards is its intro APR period for balance transfers.) You earn unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent on purchases, and the miles are generally worth 1 cent apiece — that's a solid rate for a card with no annual fee. As with other Discover cards, this one matches the rewards you earn in your first year. Read our review.
With the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, you don't pay an annual fee, but you also don't get rewards as rich as those on the regular Venture card. Read our review.
» FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL
For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a cost-effective way to earn not only miles but also credit toward elite frequent-flyer status. Read our review.
To unlock the most valuable perks of airline credit cards, you'll have to pay an annual fee. But if you're a leisure traveler just hoping to earn airline miles in the background, it's hard to do better than the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Read our review.
This entry-level card gives occasional leisure flyers who prefer United Airlines a way to try out an airline credit card for free. Unlike a lot of cards in its class, it won't cost anything to carry, even if you seldom use it. But it lacks valuable airline-card perks, such as free checked bags and early boarding. Read our review.
With the JetBlue Card, you can earn easy rewards on everyday purchases in addition to airfare. And you won’t have to worry about blackout dates once you’re ready to redeem them. Read our review.
» FOR HOTEL REWARDS
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers bonus rewards not only on purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, but also on other travel purchases. Plus, you'll earn automatic Silver status and the valuable perks that come with it. Read our review.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns bonus rewards on Hilton stays and in common everyday categories. You also get automatic Silver status. Terms apply. Read our review.
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card earns rewards quickly on IHG hotel stays and eligible everyday purchases. Read our review.
The Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Credit Card rewards you well for Wyndham stays, while also earning bonus points in some popular everyday categories. It offers Gold status and a way to earn a free night each year if you spend enough, all for a $0 annual fee. Read our review.
The Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® offers solid rewards you can redeem for stays and a variety of other options. With automatic Gold status, you also get additional perks. Read our review.
Last updated on December 5, 2022
